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O d’Ayne Wiggins and the power of friendship and music – and scape

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It was a summer afternoon in 2019, when the R&B music icon, me and other homies played in domino with real leather “bones”, eating a dim sum and enjoyed a pleasant bottle of wine in a Chinese restaurant in Santana Rown in Dope Chinese Restaurant. It was a stress -free day of falling on rubbish, community and just some guys from Bay Area. After it ended, I returned to Oakland in Vintage Top Supergwiads, listening to Soul music. No program. Just good vibrations.

A number of days later, one of the compatriots asked: “Hey, he was one of the guys from Tony! Toni! Toné meets us? I thought it could be him, but he never said anything about who he was. “

Yes, it was him. This is how D’Ayne Wiggins fell over.

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Wiggins was a member of the R&B Tony nominee for Grammy! Toni! Tone! Proud Oakland in California was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist and mentor for a lot of in the music industry. Tony! Toni! Tone! Wiggins Wiggins, his brother and singer Raphael Saadiq and his cousin and pianist Timothy Riley. The trio dropped such full classics as “Anniversary”, “It Never Rains (in southern California)”, “(put your head on my) pillow” and “Feels Good” amongst others.

Wiggins also produced and helped develop young artists who would grow to be the biggest stars of music and entertainment. He worked, amongst others, with Destiny’s Child, Alicia Keys, Keyshia Cole, Zendaya, her and Kehlani. Wiggins taught them about the presence of a stage, business side of music, the best way to do interviews and way more. It has at all times been essential that Wiggins present young artists because he often had open to him when he performed.

However, on March 7 Wiggins died after a protracted fight against bladder cancer. He was 64 years old. I used to be so privileged that for a while I knew about his health problems, not actually knowing him, and I didn’t keep my word to never ask him. And because good vibrations are at all times with him above all, he never revealed or spoke with me about his pain.

“Thanks to this fight he remained involved and present for his family, music, fans and community,” said Wiggins family in an announcement Announcing his death in social media.

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From left to right: Marc Spears, Gary Payton Sr. I d’Ayne Wiggins in Karibu by Wachira Wine Bar in Alameda, California in 2023.

Marc Spears

From left to right: D’Ayne Wiggins, Jazz Great Branford Marsalis and Marc Spears together after the Marsalis concert in San Francisco in 2024.

Marc Spears

Wiggins and I made friends after a accidental meeting at a celebration for our friend Kim Bardakian in Oakland Hills in 2018. I used to be an excellent ton! Toni! Tone! The fan, since they got here to the stage in the late Nineteen Eighties and could recite almost every song, from their hits to side B. I introduced myself and offered high respect. Wiggins was not a giant fan of sport, but he in some way knew my work as a journalist covering the NBA and the character of Bay Area.

We became fast friends. Over the years, we spent spending time in countless East Bay Area restaurants, we celebrated the New Year 2024 with friends, we created our own wine as winemakers for at some point in Raymond Vineyards, we stopped through Marta’s Vineyard, and even he even he I participated in my induction At Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023, once I won the Curt Gowdy award. Wiggins even sang “Whatever you wish“At the Hall of Fame party for me in Oakland in 2023.

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I had the honor to interview Tony! Tone! Toni! at the Saadiq studio in Los Angeles before the first route in 30 years. Then we made interviews for a beginner documentary about Wiggins, which is actually even deeper. I participated in live shows in Dallas and San Francisco for sensational ones. Wiggins also put a photograph of Hall of Fame in the Tour pre -film, which presented the great Bay Area of ​​all species, which meant an absolute world for me.

“It was the best concert I’ve ever seen,” Golden State Warriors Gary Gary Payton II recently told me. “I didn’t know (Wiggins) was sick. I can’t believe it is not there. “

Marc Spears (on the right) joins D’Ayne Wiggins behind the scenes after Tony! Toni! Tone! concert.

Marc Spears

On November 17, 2023, my wife and my wife joined Wiggins, his dedicated and protective wife, Dori, then the mayor of Francisco and others for a meal before the concert before the stop in the Masonic in San Francisco. Not knowing what to come back after Wiggins, it ended with the last program for Tony! Toni! Tone! Behind the scenes in Wiggins’s wardrobe I used to be there when Brena gave the group an commercial from the city of San Francisco. I placed on his giant, Dr. Seuss in a hat in my wardrobe for fun before starting the program, which actually looked a lot better on me than he did.

I’ll always remember to see Wiggins sparking on the stage that night. As usual, he was dressed eclectically, as usual, he has characteristic glasses, a singular hat and retro outfit from the 70s, with incense burning from the guitar. When his individual part of the series was to begin, he took over and stared at the crowd before he played a note from one of his popular ballads. When the crowd roared in recognition and gave a standing ovation, Wiggins seemed overwhelmed by gratitude.

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Wiggins might have been all 5 feet and 6 feet, unless it was strengthened by wearing shoes. But he was the owner of a scene with the presence of a music giant, together with his elite guitar skills, singing and personality that matched the song at that moment. It was amazing to see how relaxed and cool he was without nervousness a number of minutes before Showtime. And when the series began, he placed on his superman Cape and passed his presence and remembered his performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gli21bjixuo

Outside the stage, Wiggins was relaxed with an incredible sense of humor and a cunning laugh. He gave me difficulties after watching the episode of my Hulu television program, by which I discovered that sugar belongs to the grits. We jokingly repeatedly discussed this matter and suggested that he put it in the song. One day I got a movie about him freestyling of a makeshift song entitled “Sugar don’t go on grits” on sound during Tony! Tone! Toni! trip.

My favorite memory, which defined the modest, cool Wiggins, took place during the Hall of Fame Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame ceremony. He and Dori flew through the country to participate in my induction. This meant quite a bit for me that Wiggins really enjoyed the ceremony, taking every word from speeches.

I used to be invited to the induction of Hoop Hall of Fame, Tony Parker after a speech, but I didn’t go because I had a gaggle of over 20 individuals with me. Wiggins celebrated my honor by buying Tequila crew to greet me for dinner. He had an incredible way for everybody to feel like they were a friend and at his level, even in the event that they only met him once. My crew spent the next party at the event, which the Association of National Basketball players gave once we realized that Wiggins couldn’t be found.

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About half-hour later, Wiggins arrived at a celebration with a Cheshire smile. I asked him where he was and he said he slipped to Tony Parker’s party and enjoyed food, drinks and everyone speaks French. But suddenly he was thrown out because no one recognized him. So, the truth is, a member of the founder of Tony! Toni! Tone! He was thrown out of Tony Parker’s party.

So why didn’t he tell him who he was?

“Man, this is not my style,” said Wiggins with a smile.

His style has at all times been extreme humility and having to be pleased. He was actually present at the moment, he would say that he didn’t hearken to the singing of birds of useless stress, he was clear in the light of the headlights and really enjoyed life. His heritage will live with everyone because of his music. But more importantly, Wiggins will live in the hearts of anyone who has ever had a probability to spend time with him.

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I like you, brother. The world is not going to be the same without you, but your music and a wonderful way you lived in will live with me and countless others that you may have touched endlessly.

Marc J. Spears is a senior NBA author for Andcape. Once he was capable of immerse himself at you, but he was unable for years, and his knees still hurt.


This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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DJ Chase B drops the debut collection of a hat for the time when he works for Lids as a student of HBCU – and scape

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When he was a student Chase Benjamin He made one of the most key decisions of his life to proceed his profession as a skilled DJ.

Despite the remaining lower than two semesters from classes to graduation, the native Houston decided to present up Howard University to maneuver to New York to get more musical opportunities. Leaving a historically black college in Washington also meant that Benjamin needed to submit a two -week notification of the end of the part -time work as a LIDS trade employee in the nearby Pentagon City Shopping Center.

“My manager in Lids was in fact the first person I said that I had to leave Howard because of the problem with financial help,” Benjamin remembered to AndScape. “She was like:” To be honest, make your dreams come true. Do yours. And mainly I finished running to New York. “

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Almost 15 years later, life got here down a full circle for 34-yr-old Benjamin-currently known as Chase B, live DJ for the rapper Supergivia Travis Scott-which joined forces with Lids to design his first fitting hats in history. Inspired by the iconic Nike “What the” SB DunkChase BX MLB “Maxim” Nowa Era 59 Fifty Fincile can be released today, lower than a week after the debut in the same store DC Area Lids Store, wherein Benjamin once worked in college. Falling to eight different teams, the hat sold out in quarter-hour.

“This moment means a lot because it is really the first product I have put into the world,” said Benjamin. “I remember when I worked in Lids, in a sense I felt the idea to make a hat like” what “. It just took 15 years to implement this idea. “

Initially, the talks began at the end of 2023 surrounding cooperation between Lids and Chase B, which just about all the time seen on the stage and on social media swaying a fitted hat. Before the concert in Philadelphia on the Travis Scott’s Circus Maximus Benjamin route, Lawrence Berger, co -founder and president of Fanzzzzlids Holdings, was presented, who acquired a long -time hat seller in 2019.

“Lawrence said:” I heard that you just are a guy with whom I actually have to discuss hats, “Benjamin reminded. “I assumed,” I don’t know who he said, but I have a good idea. ” I told him that that is the whole thing with a full circumference, because I not only worked in the lids, I worked in a shop in the DC area, where he got here from. “

The history of Benjamin’s origin in DC began along with his decision to depart the hometown of Houston at the Howard-One of the most historically respected black universities/universities in the country-Nad mainly a white institution (PWI).

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“Going to HBCu meant everything for me,” said Benjamin. “Cultural differences between HBCU vs. PWI was huge for me. Going to HBCu gave me a level of confidence and communities that I couldn’t get anywhere else, especially since people come to Howard from many other places. It is 90 percent outside of their condition, so I learned a lot from people from Bay Area, to Jamaica, to Atlanta.

Chase B is in the wear of Nike “What the” SB Dunk Sneakers, who inspired the design of his hat.

Lid

Chase B moved from work in Lids while studying to cooperate with a hat seller 15 years later.

Lid

“I met so many different black cultures for Howard,” continued Benjamin. “Streetwear culture in DC is the best for me. Seeing how people wear Griffeeys and ACG Boots, gave me a sense of individuality that I have never experienced before. It successfully taught me everything I had to know about streetwearia. “

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Chase B also attributes his time in the yard on Hu passion to matching hats, which became a trademark of his style and remained consistent because he gained the importance of music.

“I used to wear hats in Howard – like every day in class,” Benjamin recalled. “I never really took off my hats, to the extent that people said:” You should just work in lids. ” So I went there by train from the Shaw/Howard metro stop. I worked there for a good seven, eight months and it was the best job I have ever had – so far. Then my manager was the first person I said that I was going to leave school and take off a few semesters. “

Although Benjamin has never returned to classes, slowing down the semester or two of the completion of his specialization on the radio/television/film and small in economics, his goal is to achieve the degree of HBCU someday.

“I have 17 hours left and I want to finish so badly,” he said.

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“This moment means a lot because it is really the first product I have put into the world,” said Chase B.

Lid

After the introduction to the foremost director of LIDS at the end of 2023, Benjamin went to the headquarters of Indianapolis at the starting of 2024 to initiate the creative process for a series of matched hats, which DJ signed for design and release.

In his first hat history, Chase B attracted inspiration from his versatile favorite shoe-cult “What the” Nike SB Dunk Low, released just once in October 2007, a yr before starting studies at the Howard University. After initial sales for 120 USD per pair, “What the” Dunk has since increased rapidly into noise and value, now considered one of the commonest saints from Sneaker’s culture, with original pairs on the resale market as much as USD 40,000.

“I started to cook this concept and thought:” Do you recognize about “what” the bumps? ” – Benjamin remembered. “Just a few people did in the room, so I said:” I think about “what” matched “. Lids were so open to the concept that it was as if it really happened. ”

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Just like OG “What the” Dunk, which comprises 31 Nike SB projects, “Maximal” Hat Chase B provides mashup fabrics and designs. It comprises six different head panels, brown and satin, interior interior on the theme of the galaxy.

“” What the “shoes” is nearly so wild that you could wear them with every thing. That’s why I called this “maximum” collection because I used to be all the time a fan of maximalism, “said Benjamin. “People are big fans of minimalism – the art of breaking every thing into an empty canvas for people’s own imagination. But maximalism is opposite. For example: “How to make this total chaos to such an extent that it makes sense?” On the hat there are panels like a tennis. So I assumed it could be nice to find a hat with so many various colours. “

Chase B assigns his time at Howard’s University to match the caps, becoming a trademark of his style.

Lid

In November last yr, Lids sent Benjamin the final version of his debut “Maximal” X New Era 59 Fiffta, which broke out in Complexcon in Las Vegas and has been swaying since then.

“I was a bit nervous because I knew that the hat looks good. But I didn’t want it to be too niche, for example: “Is it just something I’d wear? Benjamin said. “I wanted to do something that people could put at the exhibition. Something that went deeper than just a fashion song. It is really a collector’s subject, but I am so excited that everyone is wearing it. “

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Chase B couldn’t ask for a higher person to spend his “maximum” hat for the first time. Before the debut version of the retail sales of cooperation in DC, Benjamin was notified on Instagram, taking him into a photo of the star of Los Angeles Lakers, Lebron James passing through the tunnel Arena Krypto.com with the release of Dodgers “Maximal” a hat on his head. DJ personally sent a hat to the home address of King Jakub, but he had no concept that he would present him before the original duel from New York Knicks.

“” Brona just got a hat because I checked tracking on daily basis to ensure that he got there, “said Benjamin. “I believe that even when he wears it, I can be like a behind -the -scene photo of him eating lunch or something in it. But he got a hat that morning and wore it that night.

“It was like:” Oh, Brona really wore a hat before the TNT match against Knicks. “

One and a half a long time after part -time work at Lids, to assist pay in studies, finally the project finally appeared, the first matched Chase B project for the first time this yr can also be to release its debut studio album, and his own performance of Jacek Jacek, the characteristic model of Travis Scott with the Jordan brand.

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“To be honest, Jack Jack appears, which I designed about the same time as the” maximum “collection – said Benjamin. “I designed a hat matching the shoe. Both can be this yr, and I simply can’t wait. “

However, as he tells you, Chase B isn’t able to cook yet.

“I actually have two more hats with lids,” said Benjamin. “It will be a long -term partnership. Especially after this, all lick their chops to return to Indianapolis and design the next one. But this “maximum” collection, I want to continue it as long as possible. ”

Aaron Dodson is a sports and cultural author, primarily covering the offers of footwear support and the culture of sneakers.

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This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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Tyler Perry praises Angie Stone at the funeral: “I’m angry with the way she was treated”

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Mogul Film and Television Tyler Perry paid tribute to the singer R&B Angie Stone on Friday, telling the church church at Word of Faith Cathedral in Austll, Ga. That he was “bad” from how she was treated in the music industry.

“I am angry with the way she was treated,” said Perry, who said that only recently he realized the challenges that the stones faced in recovering the money resulting from her label. “Thinking that this woman has been operating for all these years … All these years, all these songs, all the money that was due to her. Where is it? This is bad. “

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Stone, who died on March 1 at the age of 63 after his involvement in a automotive accident in Alabama, had previously had common In social media on January 2, that after greater than 40 years in the industry she didn’t receive license payments from her former label, Universal Music Group. “They will have to give me money,” said Stone, who said that she had only recently learned about her financial situation after asking amongst medical problems. Ironically, the night stone was killed, traveled from the concert in Montgomery.

“There is a difference between the performance because you want and the performance because you have to,” said Tyler Perry. “I am tired of vision, how we fight and go through things, I work hard and do not benefit from what we were supposed to draw.”

The Creator of the “Madei Family Meeting” and “Beauty in black” added: “You must be careful when you start treating people badly, especially God’s children, because the Bible says:” Do not touch my anointed and don’t do my prophet. “

Although Perry admitted that he didn’t know the stone, in addition to others, sharing that he often saw her at concert events, he called the soul singer a “prophet”, adding: “she prophesied and preached her own vagina.”

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Perry remembered the text of Stone’s hit “No More Rain (” In This Cloud “), saying to the congregation:” He says: “My sun came and I am flashy. There is no more rain in this cloud. “He continued:” The beauty of what she was talking about is when the cloud no longer has tears, it disperses. Disappeared. But if you listen to this song again, there is a part that I want you to really listen. She said: “What is occurring. What goes up must fall. The stuff you come back to you. “

Media tycoon praised Angie Stone for somebody who “sold kindness … (i) joy to people … sold people and her voice.” He summed up his comments: “God bless you, Angie, my heart, my soul, is with you. I am so glad that there is no more rain in your cloud. “

(Tagstransate) Angie Stone

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Coco Gauff’s Mometown Roots Power New Balance’s latest tennis shoe – Essence

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Coco Gauff's Mometown Roots Power New Balance's latest tennis shoe

Melbourne, Australia – January 19: Coco Gaufff from the United States celebrates victory within the match with Belind Bencic from Switzerland within the match within the fourth round of ladies’s singles through the eighth day of the Australian Open 2025 in Melbourne Park on January 19, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo of Fred Lee/Getty Images)

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The words “tennis” and “availability” had a protracted -term complex relationship. We took a glance, watching the story for the legacy of Serena and Venus Williams. It showed us that behind the splendor of central courts and trophies ceremonies (which Coco Gauff has lots), there may be a sport that many think financially. It is that this reality that makes the latest cooperation between New Balance and the Coco Gauff tennis star is especially noteworthy.

Today, New Balance and Gauff presented Delray Coco, a tennis shoe that pays tribute to her hometown of Florida, while coping with wider questions on who can play this sport. Available from March 13 for $ 110, shoes stand out in the marketplace, where tennis footwear often proves much higher prices.

“I am incredibly proud of launching the new Delray Coco, because this is the opportunity to expand access to people interested in playing the game and will have a positive impact on culture for the upcoming generations,” said Gaufff within the commercial. “Delray Beach helped to cause my tennis journey, so it is special for me to tell the story of this community, which influenced exactly why I love this sport.”

Coco Gauff's Mometown Roots Power New Balance's latest tennis shoe

Technically, Delray Coco provides what you may expect from ready -made footwear for competition. It has a nylon stability plate, a light-weight fuel sole for convenience and a durable rubber outer sole designed for prolonged game on various manor surfaces. The low project includes the aesthetics of tennis and basketball from the 90s, reflecting Gauff’s appeal.

“Our hope with Delray Coco is to emphasize access to sport for everyone. For Coco, a lot means that everyone who wants to play tennis should be able to choose a rocket and play, “said Evan Zeder, head of Tennis sports marketing at New Balance. “Delray Coco represents her constant commitment to promoting this integration in sport, starting from her own yard.”

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This yard – especially Pompey Park in Delray Beach – just isn’t only referred to marketing materials, but serves as a spot of premiere. New Balance and Gauff organize an event there with a campaign film show, after which a discussion with Gauff, her grandmother and inventive collaborator Joe Robinson (professionally referred to as Joe Freshgoods) about sports availability and the influence of the community.

New Balance also doesn’t end with one version of the shoe. Throughout the yr, they drop latest Delray Coco colours, releasing them together with the Gauff’s higher CG2 model. Coordinated editions mean that recreation players can take Gauff’s style, no matter their skill level. And even though it may not seem lots, it is kind of serious. Both Gauff and New Balance be sure that everyone feels on, no matter where they’re on a tennis journey.

At the top of the day, tennis still faces current questions on diversity, representation and access, and products reminiscent of Delray Coco offer a selected contribution. While shoes price 110 USD is not going to transform right into a tennis economy, this can be a step in the best direction. Delra Coco is offered all around the world at Newalance.com and chosen retail sellers with a suggested retail price of $ 110. For more information, visit newbalance.com/tennis.

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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